WWC review of this study

Does Teacher Evaluation Improve School Performance? Experimental Evidence from Chicago's Excellence in Teaching Project

Steinberg, Matthew P.; Sartain, Lauren (2015). Education Finance and Policy, v10 n4 p535-572. Retrieved from: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1077268

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
     examining 
    93
     Schools
    , grades
    3-8

Reviewed: August 2018

At least one finding shows promising evidence of effectiveness
At least one statistically significant positive finding
Meets WWC standards without reservations
English language arts achievement outcomes—Statistically significant positive effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT): Reading Assessment

Excellence in Teaching Project (EITP) vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Full sample;
93 schools

N/A

N/A

Yes

 
 
4
 
General Mathematics Achievement outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT): Mathematics Assessment

Excellence in Teaching Project (EITP) vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Full sample;
93 schools

N/A

N/A

No

--


Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Characteristics of study sample as reported by study author.


  • Female: 50%
    Male: 50%

  • Urban
    • B
    • A
    • C
    • D
    • E
    • F
    • G
    • I
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    • Y
    • a
    • h
    • i
    • b
    • d
    • e
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    • j
    • k
    • l
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    • y

    Illinois
  • Race
    Asian
    5%
    Black
    64%
    White
    10%
  • Ethnicity
    Hispanic    
    22%

Setting

The study took place in Chicago Public schools; specifically, within four instructional areas in the district. 93 schools were randomized. No information is provided regarding how many teachers and administrators participated.

Study sample

The two cohorts of schools had similar demographics. Cohort 1 schools had 49% female students, while Cohort 2 had 50%. Cohort 1 students included 60% who were African American, 24% Hispanic, 11% White, and 5% Asian. Cohort 2 schools were 67% African American, 20% Hispanic, 8% White, and 5% Asian. The proportion of students on free and reduced lunch was .82 in Cohort 1 and .83 in Cohort 2.

Intervention Group

The intervention consisted of principal training and the teacher observation/conferencing process. Teachers were to be observed twice a year and this consisted of a pre-observation meeting, an observation, and a follow-up meeting. Classroom observations were guided by the Danielson Framework for Teaching.

Comparison Group

Cohort 2 schools continued with business-as-usual in Year 1 of the study regarding how teachers were observed and evaluated.

Support for implementation

In terms of training, Cohort 1 principals received an introductory meeting with central office leadership, a three-day summer training, four half-day refreshers, and seven monthly professional learning community meetings in the first year of implementation. They also received weekly emails, two reports from the intervention partner, and could request additional support. By contrast, Cohort 2 principals received two days of training prior to implementing the intervention in Year 2 of the study and could request additional assistance from central office staff.

 

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